A few weeks back, before the Cardinals pulled off the greatest two-game winning streak in my lifetime, I noted one of the provocative storylines centered around the impending free agency gold rush the offseason would present. And just like the NBA during the summer of 2010, an unshakable feeling of something major going down lingers in the air. Joe Johnson resigned with Atlanta, deciding $127M was more enticing than playing with Derrick Rose and an upstart Bulls team we now see is one two-guard away from domination. Amar’e Stoudamire went to New York, thus clearing the way for Carmelo Anthony months later. That “monumental feeling,” however, manifested itself when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh stunned the sports world by all signing with the Miami Heat.

Fast forward nearly a year and a half later, another South Florida team could potentially pull off the same feat.

On Friday, I was watching the UNC/Michigan State game at a friend’s apartment. Carolina was beginning to pull away when my homie Joe suddenly blurted, “Oh shit!” It took a second to register, but he was referring to the piece of news scrolling on ESPN’s Bottom Line. The Miami Marlins are apparently in talks, or at least have interest, in breaking the bank by potentially signing Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes and, the crowned jewel of the 2011 offseason, Albert Pujols. So yeah, “oh shit” indeed. On the surface, the thought of all three signing with Miami seems laughable, but as Kevin Garnett so eloquently noted in 2008, anything is possible; especially baseball where the financial structure is different from basketball and football.

Pending this happens we can hold these four truths to be self-evident:

2. Having (a completely healthy) Jose Reyes bat in front of Albert is just plain silly. It’s like someone giving you a Bentley and a free gas for life card. That makes perfect sense in my eyes.

3. There will definitely be more than 17 people in the stands now. But they may not show up until the fourth inning. You know how Miami crowds like to be fashionably late.

4. Now no longer in active use, the debate about the OG Marlins fitted can begin. I say top five ever.

For what it’s worth, Pujols/Reyes/Buehrle would lack the overall star power of James/Wade/Bosh, but the end result is identical. The Heat became instant title contenders and one of the key reasons last season was so polarizing. And for all the ill will associated with Bron’s headband, Wade’s “everybody hates us” mentality and Bosh’s tears, it should be noted they were a horrible fourth quarter in Game 2 away from pulling off the biggest “we told you so” in sports history. The Marlins find themselves in the same exact predicament pending they can sign the trifecta. They immediately become the favorites to win the NL East with the Phillies taking exception (go Braves, by the way); not to mention instant World Series contenders.

It’s all a game of “what if” at the moment, but if the Marlins can convince three of the year’s most sought after free agents to take their talents to South Beach, the “Migration to Miami” will not only present a serious case of déjà vu, but keep this in mind, too. This could all happen with Ozzie Guillen as manager and blood brother of Rex Ryan in terms of coaches whose best personality trait is that they do not know when to shut up. In fact, Ozzie in Miami has the potential to produce a pretty entertaining reality show as well as some of the greatest drunk athlete photos of all time.

Join The Discussion

South Florida has a huge Hispanic community & I’m hearing the Marlins are actually considering giving Pujols a piece of the team. Once he retires he can live out the rest of his days on South Beach as an ambassador for the Marlins. Makes sense but more importantly for Pujols, it makes $$$.

Buehrle and Reyes are strong possibilities. But if they pulled off getting Pujols,that would be the biggest WOW of the past few seasons in ANY sport. This is basically getting Babe Ruth/Barry Bonds in their prime. And to top it off, having the excitement of bringing in Ozzie Guillen, and already having the young players they have, I’d have to make the Marlins number 2 in the East behind the Phillies. Maybe even a 1 and 1A kind of deal.

A lineup with Reyes, Logan Morrison, Hanley Ramirez, and Pujols can definitely contend for the NL crown.

The Cards are set to name former catcher Mike Matheny as the new manager. I could be wrong, but thats not exactly who I think Pujols had in mind to manage the rest of his career. The plot just thickened….

Buehrle could be rejuvenated in the National League; but Reyes and Pujols would be great hauls. But is Hanley Ramirez a free agent? I don’t see Reyes moving to 2nd base and I don’t see Hsnley moving to third